Programmable controller

ABSTRACT

A programmable controller for use in controlling a wide variety of external data and production devices and having an extremely flexible stored program capability enabling the device to function as a small-scale computer adapted for use as either a systems controller or as a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;stand alone&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; minicomputer.

United States Patent Shevlin 1 Sept. 3, 1974 PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER 2.762.485 9/1956 Bafuur 61 111 197/211 3,082,670 3/1963 5' ll 1. [97/20 X [75] inventor: Robe" Shem", Manhasset, NY 3,141,395 7/1964 O g r ierf 197 20 3 Assigneez varisystems Corporation, plainview, 3,165,045 H1965 Troll 95/415 N Y 3,501,747 3/1970 Bungard et a1. 197/20 3,560,965 2/1971 White et a1, 197/20 [221 Filed: Oct. 30, 1972 Primary ExaminerRaulfe B. Zache [21] Appl' 302295 Assistant Examiner-Mark Edward Nusbaum Related US. Application Data Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ostrolenk, Faber, Gerb & [62] Division of Ser N0, 235,202, March 16, 1972. Soffen 52 11.5. CI 340/1725, 197/20, 178/67 R ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl G06f 9/00, G06f 3/00 A programmable controller for use in controlling a [58] Field of Search 197/20; 95/45; 340/1725; wide variety of external data and production devices 235/619, 92; 178/67 R and having an extremely flexible stored program capability enabling the device to function as a small-scale [56] References Cited computer adapted for use as either a systems control- UNITED STATES PATENTS ler or as a stand alone minicomputer. 2,700,447 1/1955 Bloclgett 197/20 3 Claims, 27 Drawing Figures 74/95 M4190 CUP) FEOM 54 052 fY/Z-WQ/Ek PEGGY/4M;

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1. A method for preparing an input tape for use in controlling a justifier comprising the steps of: selecting pica and point size and style of the characters and symbols and the length and positioning of the line to be printed and placing said information in storage; typing each line of information to be justified in a character by character fashion; converting each character inputted into binary signals representing pica and point units; accumulating the pica and point units as said information is typed; subtracting the accumulated units from total line length and displaying the pica and point units remaining for the line being processed and updating the display as each new character is entered; justifying the character and symbol information when typing of the line is completed; punching a control tape with coded information representing the character style and size and the characters and symbols to be printed for each line for use in controlling a justifier.
 2. A method for transmitting facsimile information comprising the steps of: scanning an image on a line by line basis; dividing each scanned line into a plurality of points each point having a signal amplitude representing the brightness of the point; converting the signal amplitude of each scanned point into a binary signal wherein a binary signal of a first state is developed when the brightness is above a predetermined threshold and a binary signal of the reverse state is developed when the brightness is below said threshold; arranging the successive binary signals of each line into successive groups, each group containing an equal predetermined number of binary signals; storing said signal groups of binary signals; extracting each group from storage in sequential fashion; counting the number of consecutive binary signals of the same state to generate a first binary signal count representative of the number of consecutive binary signals of the same state; counting the number of binary signals in each group included in said count; terminating said first and second counts each time a reversal of signal state occurs; transmitting signals representative of the first count; counting the number of consecutive binary signals of the reverse state to generate a third binary signal count representative of the number of consecutive binary signals of the reverse state; beginning the second count at that location in a group at which the reverse state is detected only when the second count is smaller than said predetermined number in each group; removing the next signal group from storage only when the second count is equal to said predetermined number in each group of binary signals; transmitting signals representative of the third count.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of: receiving said transmitted signals; converting each received count into a string of binary signals of the same state representing said count with the number of binary signals in said string being equal in number to said count; and scanning a document on a line by line basis exposing each point on a scanned line to light of an intensity determined by the binary state of the binary signals associated with each point to reproduce the original image. 